Whitt Johnson Park Project

NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT COMING SOON TO WHITT JOHNSON PARK

Temporary Park Closure Beginning September 3, 2019

The Parks and Recreation Board and staff worked in conjunction with a citizen user group on updates to Whitt Johnson Park. There are no major changes recommended to the overall park layout. The Parks and Recreation Board recommended updates on May 1, 2019, and the Friends of West U Parks Fund, Inc. approved funding up to $166,000 for the project on May 8, 2019. City Council approved the project on May 20, 2019. The park is scheduled to close on September 3, 2019 with reopening slated by the end of October 2019.

Playground updates include replacement of a 5-12 year old playground unit with a modern rotating climber,standalone spinner,step spot pods, and balance challenge. The existing tree house unit will be equipped with ADA access to allow for additional play opportunities. The safety surfacing will also be changed from wood chips to all new artificial turf safety surfacing to green up the park.

Additional updates include removing the gazebo and adding Gaga ball, updating benches (4) and picnic tables (3), painting the fence, light poles and remaining playground equipment, and installing new St. Augustine grass in the open green space. The two basketball half-courts will also be resurfaced, and one half-court would include multi-use play with foursquare and hopscotch lines.

For more information, please contact Parks and Recreation Director Susan White at Susan White or 713.662.5894. If you would like to receive project updates, please send an add request to My Parks.

The project is entirely funded through the generosity of the Friends of West University Parks Fund and made possible through fundraising events such as Park Lovers’ Ball, Fathers & Flashlights, community partnerships, and the park pavers program. For information on how you can make a donation or purchase a paver, please visit the Friends website at www.westuparks.org or contact Friends Executive Director Donna LaMond at 713.662.7430.